Cui Dongshu of the CPCA said total lithium‑ion battery demand in 1H 2026 reached
about 1.069 TWh, up 53% YoY, as industry growth shifted from NEV‑only to a
multi‑pillar mix of energy storage, overseas exports and commercial vehicles.
New energy vehicle demand totaled ~793.2 GWh, +37% YoY, but domestic NEV
passenger retail fell 2% YoY, indicating a move into stock competition; vehicle
and battery exports are the primary incremental sources. Battery customs exports
grew 54% YoY. Storage demand, the largest growth engine by production‑sales
estimates, hit ~275.7 GWh in 1H, up 130% YoY, with June single‑month growth
+333% YoY. NEV demand share fell to 74% while storage rose to 26%; storage and
overseas markets are now the core supports for industry high cycle.
